Insights into the Perth arts scene

April Gig Guide

The academic year is in full swing and April features a host of gigs from the tertiary institutions.

But first the WA Symphony Orchestra who have an even more diverse month than usual, beginning with performances with pianist Ingrid Fliter on the 5/6/7th followed by a ComicCon concert on the 13th with Chris Dragon conducting a host of super-hero tinged scores from movies, television, and video games – costumes and cosplay are heartily encouraged!

From the 21-28th the orchestra will be in the pit for WA Opera’s Cunning Little Vixen starring Perth’s new favourite soprano Emma Pearson. Janacek’s rarely-heard opera is one of the great masterpieces of early twentieth century music. This new production designed by Richard Roberts and Roger Kirk can be enjoyed by the whole family.

WASO finish the month with a screening of Planet Earth II Live in Concert at Perth Arena hosted by Eric Bana. It is rumoured this show is already sold out so be quick.

The WA Youth Jazz Orchestra are Downstairs at the Maj on the 6/7th with hits from Ella, Billie and Sarah in Ladies Sing the Blues. Also on the 6th the University of Western Australia launch the Keyed Up series bringing London based Australian classical pianist Victor Sangiorgio back to WA for a recital of Bach , Schubert and Gershwin.

It is a big month for UWA’s Conservatorium of Music. The piano joy continues with Perth pianists Gladys Chua and Chris van Tuinen tackling Olivier Messiaen’s mammoth “Visions de l’Amen”. On the 15th the symphony orchestra will perform popular masterworks by Grieg and Dvorak for the Music on the Terrace Series and on the 26th The Winthrop Singers present their annual ANZAC Commemoration with a performance of Faure’s Requiem. On the 29th UWA and St Mary’s Cathedral present Gloria! Lux Aeterna! featuring sacred a cappella works by Vivaldi Gloria, Ligeti, Whitacre and Gjeilo. The cathedral is acoustically perfect for this music and the program includes an exciting new commission by UWA graduate Olivia Davies – this could well be the gig of the month!

Over at the Academy of Performing Arts the performance calendar is also cranking. On the 12th Kristin Bowtell will conduct the classical vocal students and Faith Court Orchestra in Mozart’s Requiem. From the 12-14th Grammy Award nominated Latin jazz artists The Rodriguez Brothers will perform Afro-Cuban music with WAAPA jazz students. The Academy will celebrate their newly arrived Head of Classical Voice on the 29th with An Afternoon with Emma Matthews.

Musica Viva are in town on the 21st with mandolin superstar Avi Avital performing Bach, Schumann and a new work by Elena Kats-Chernin with the Giocoso String Quartet. Word on the street is that the pre-concert talk is going to be amazing 😉 and there will also be a meet the artist interview after the concert which I’m looking forward to hosting.

In the world of the THEATRE last Great Hunt present their first Perth show for the year on the 12th with The Talk. Eva is 15 and all she wants is answers. No more condom demonstrations or close-up slides of chlamydia. She needs honesty, and she’s not afraid to get it. This hilarious and pointed new show by Gita Bezard holds up the fears of adults against the questions of teenagers.

Co3 contemporary dance company present a DANCE re-telling of Frank Enstein for children and adults opening on the 11th. The production combines the humour of the theatre collective The Farm with the extreme physicality of Co3 dancers to create a show for the child in all of us.

Follow Blog via Email

Give me words and music and I’m happy!
Rosalind is an arts journalist, author and speaker. She founded Noted in 2012 to cover the Perth arts scene. She is currently co-editor of Seesaw Magazine.
Check out the startling discoveries about Australian women composers in her book Women of Note which completes the missing jigsaw pieces of Australia’s music history.